Bosque Trails, Severe Weather in NM, Albuquerque’s Minimum Wage Law, Affordable Care Act
This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, a look at the Bosque brouhaha. Proposed plans by the city of Albuquerque to add trails and other projects in the state park have drawn the ire of some environmentalists and residents, who say it’s too much for a unique wild place within city boundaries.
NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS talks with Mathew Schmader, the city’s superintendent for Open Space, about the ideas put forth by Albuquerque officials. Joining that discussion to offer alternatives to the city’s proposals will be Richard Barish, a member of the Sierra Club, and Anthony Anella, a local architect who serves on the boards of the New Mexico Land Conservancy and the Aldo Leopold Foundation.
The Line opinion panel looks at the devastating floods that hit New Mexico following heavy rains, and what it means for communities in terms of infrastructure and getting funds to prepare for the next round of severe weather.
The Line also talks about a proposal by a city councilman to institute criminal penalties against businesses that don’t comply with Albuquerque’s minimum wage law.
The group discusses the Affordable Care Act and the campaign starting up October 1 to begin enrolling more people in Medicaid and through the health insurance exchange.
GUESTS:
Mathew Schmader, Superintendent for Open Space, City of Albuquerque
Richard Barish, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
Anthony Anella, Architect and board member of Aldo Leopold Foundation
LINE GUEST PANELISTS:
Rachel Sams, Albuquerque Business First
Russell Contreras, Associated Press
LINE PANELISTS:
Dan Foley, former NM House Republican Whip
Laura Sanchez, New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce
CORRESPONDENT: Gwyneth Doland
HOST/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant
The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Megan Kamerick. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.
Episode 712 for air September 20, 2013
RESOURCES & REFERENCES:
- Letter from Buddy Huffaker, executive director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, to Mayor Richard Berry expressing concern that some of the city’s proposals contradict Leopold’s original vision for the Bosque. (PDF Link)
- Letter from Estella Leopold, daughter of Aldo Leopold, criticizing the plans for the Bosque laid out in the Rio Grande Vision documents. (PDF Link)
- The city cancelled a public meeting on the plan, scheduled for Sept. 18. It issued a press release outlining why. (PDF Link)
- City of Albuquerque’s Rio Grande Vision Plan: http://www.riograndevision.com/
- Contacts for giving feedback to the city regarding the Bosque plan: http://www.riograndevision.com/feedback/
- Sierra Club contacts for people interested in this issue: http://nmsierraclub.org/node/2131
- Facebook page for people opposed to Rio Grande Vision Plan: https://www.facebook.com/newmexicobosque?hc_location=stream